Overview
Dengue is a viral infection spread by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, which breed in clean standing water and bite during the day. It causes sudden high fever with severe body and joint pain. Most people recover in about a week with rest and fluids, but a small number develop dangerous bleeding or a fall in blood pressure as the fever settles, which needs hospital care.
Symptoms
- Sudden high fever
- Severe headache and pain behind the eyes
- Intense muscle, bone and joint pain
- Nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite
- Skin rash appearing a few days after the fever starts
When to see a doctor
See a doctor the same day for high fever during dengue season, and get a platelet count if advised. Do not take painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin, which can worsen bleeding.
Emergency — call 108 or go to the nearest hospital
- Severe stomach pain or persistent vomiting
- Bleeding from gums or nose, blood in vomit or stool
- Extreme drowsiness, restlessness or cold clammy skin, especially as the fever drops
Causes
Four types of dengue virus are spread by Aedes mosquito bites. A second infection with a different type carries a higher risk of severe dengue.